squirrel's 57 Chevy one ton

[squirrel]

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Lone Ranger disguised himself as a billiards table. Not knowing this, Tonto racked his balls.

(sorry).

I needed to do something about the steering on my old truck, so I decided to put some new bushings in the steering gearbox. I took it out, and took it apart. But I forgot to bring the camera out to the shop....so pics will be delayed. I'm not going to bother rebuilding the whole thing, I'll just replace the two pitman shaft bushings, as they are usually the only worn parts in these boxes, if they still have grease in them. This one does.

[squirrel]

Pictures....

I had to remove the driver side exhaust manifold to get the steering gear out, but the mounts had settled so I ended up jacking up the engine a little to remove the manifold. Then I removed the steering wheel, turn signal switch, horn wire, and took of the front wheel and removed the pitman arm from the pitman shaft. I was then able to unbolt the steering box from the frame, and drop it out the bottom, with the column still attached (it's one piece).

I removed the side cover, which is attached to the pitman shaft and gear. I then removed the adjusting screw and the pitman shaft form the cover, and I'll need to remove the bushing from the cover with a cape chisel. I removed the bushing from the gear housing with a bushing drive, and the seal popped out as I was doing this. I have some replacement parts...two bushings (I bought them years ago), and a new seal. I will make a new gasket, and I'll use CV joint grease to lube it. The trick with the lube is to use a grade 0 grease, which flows. If you use normal grade 2 grease it will run the bearings and recirculating balls dry, and ruin the gearbox. I've seen it happen. If you use 90 wt gear oil, it will leak out.

[ogre]

dang squirrel, the floor in that truck is clean.
i don't see any rust or holes in it.

i have a speedo head siting around that i can send you if you need one.

[TheSilverBuick]

and I'll use CV joint grease to lube it. The trick with the lube is to use a grade 0 grease, which flows. If you use normal grade 2 grease it will run the bearings and recirculating balls dry, and ruin the gearbox. I've seen it happen. If you use 90 wt gear oil, it will leak out.

Great tip!